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How about the "Hey! I think it really works! Don't be so cynical!" option. Unfortunately you can't edit polls so perhaps just imagine that it says "Hey! I think it *might* really work! Don't be so cynical!"

it all depends on what is called "free" energy. some people call wind and solar energy "free" because once your solar cells are working, it does not cost anything more. it does not cost anything to use the power of the wind itself, only the generator, supports and the windmill, etc itself cost anything.

then again, perhaps the machine is free and only the license to use it cost anything.

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the more man learns, the more he realises, he really does not know anything.

The only reason 'Steorn Company' of Ireland, has challenged any scientists that will listen, to evaluate and test their 'Magnetic Free Energy Device'I would suggest the reason they placed a full page advert in 'The Economist' ......a Business magazine is to get short sighted Companies to invest money in their idea.The company, Steorn, says its discovery is based on the interaction of magnetic fields and allows the production of clean, free and constant energy -- a concept that challenges one of the basic rules of physics.I understand that they are using a form of linear shuttering which alternately shields and releases a magnetic field?

After some thought and giving them the benefit of doubt.....I would suggest that they MAY have possibly come up with a more efficient way of generating an electric current.The usual method is by rotating a coil within an electric field. Or even by shaking a magnet within a coil, as per an LED flashlite currently on the market.Prehaps thair 'alternate shuttering' is nothing more than a stepped annular ring made out of Mu metal, which is set spinning, between a magnet and coil. A mobile phone can be activated by replacing its battery with a spring loaded lever and cog that drives a rotating coil. Not that I've ever seen one. There is almost certainly a more efficient method of generating and storing an electrical current, just over the horizon. But it wont be free to violate the conservation of energy.

The most efficient moving item that I have ever seen is the rotating pendulum that drives the incredible perpetual "Atmos" clock.

This is great, if it pans out; however,1) It seems more than likely a marketing ploy, or2) Measurement error - you need to have the correct equipment to measure the right amount. If they're so far doing smaller amounts of energy, you could get that kind of error in round-off.

3) even IF they are getting out more than they personally put into the system, that doesn't mean there's more than what going in to the system. There is energy all around us - it could be this device is tapping into that energy. (If this works with small amounts of energy, it may or may not scale.)

In Feyman Lectures on Physics - I think first or second chapter he gives a really good explanation involving blocks. I *strongly* encourage you guys to look it up. (The explanation is duplicated in 1st chapter of H. C. Van Ness's book "Understanding Thermodynamics".)

That is, even if the device does what they claim it does, it's not clear that it's actually violating the 1st law. Yes. I'd stake my life on the first law being true.

re #3, i believe ive read of a small engine (very small) that works on the principle of warming gas expanding and cooler gas contracting. If memory serves its used in clocks and things. you personally dont have to add a single bit of energy, but the changes in room temperature from day to night is enough to wind its spring. If i remember correctly (its been decades) someone suggested having something simular to build a huge facility to get the difference in the air and water to drive electric generators. Obviously nothing ever happen with it. Likely someone with a little bit of understanding of physics and engineering came along and found the problems with it in short order. This is likely to be as close to perpetual motion as well ever see.

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the more man learns, the more he realises, he really does not know anything.